MOUNT BALDY NEWS - NARFE



MOUNT BALDY NEWS

NARFE CHAPTER #1497

VOLUME III ISSUE 8 October 1, 2012



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Flu season is just around the corner, so it is time to get the immunization for it. Most pharmacies have them as do doctors. Many grocery stores will sponsor a vaccination drive this fall. If you have Medicare, it is free.

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My seventh month of 2012 was extremely productive. I dealt with a lot of powerful issues that are affecting whether or not I reach my goals this year! One goal I am fulfilling this month is to ‘seek out Health Fairs for our chapter’s participation for recruiting of new members.’ If I am successful in participating in them this month, I will be able to report next month that our chapter had the opportunity to recruit more members for Mt. Baldy. I am requesting that our members be on the ‘look out’ for more Health Fairs in which we can participate. So, inform me if you view broshures, flyers or the newspapers that announce any future Health Fairs. You know how to reach me and I am asking that you do!

Along with our usual members, there were two members who surprised me and graced me with their presence! Kathy Jeffery returned and will try to continue attending our general chapter meetings. Jan Huyck has been a chapter member for a while, but this was her first time to attend. They both are our new ‘fresh blood’ that we need to continue our chapter’s activies. Their participation will make us stronger and will add to our power to keep our ‘strength in numbers.’ I am encouraging members who have stayed away too long to resume attending. We need you to support us and to stay involved! Our association needs you, too!

When you attend our next meeting, you will notice a ‘Suggestion Box’ near the sign-in sheet. Use it when you have suggestions to offer to our executive board. A ‘Future Topics Survey’ will be there, too. Your input will help decide future topics and speakers. Our Program Chair can get an early start with a program for January 2013. Please, let us know what your topics are for our future speakers. We had eleven members sign up for a matinee movie at the Laemmle 5 in Claremont. Nine of you were able to join us. It was fun and you must join us at our next outing. It will be at the ‘Pumpkin Patch’ at the Cal-Poly campus where you can buy vegetables, fruit and other goodies at the ‘Farm Store’ A sign-in sheet will be waiting for you at our next meeting.

“Some NARFE members give by going and others go by giving!” Please, plan to give some time for what is important. One important thing is to attend our future chapter meeting which is October 10th. ‘Come One and Come All!” Thanks for your support! Your chapter president – Bernice Minnis bernicem550@.

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Dewayne Shackelford

October’s Speaker

Dewayne is the owner of a successful company called Guardian Alarm Systems, Inc. The company specializes in custom security systems for residences and small businesses. He has worked in the electronic security industry he’s entire adult life. He started Guardian Alarm Systems in 1978. His company serves the San Gabriel Valley, north Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Dewayne and his wife have five children who have blessed them with fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Four of their children have, actually, worked in the family business over the years.

Our president, Bernice Minnis, became his client September 14, 2005. Dewayne installed her alarm system. This system allows her to feel safe and protected. She wishes that she had done it earlier. It is never too late to protect your home and your family. She has been happy with her system for over seven years! When Bernice was trying to find a speaker for our chapter, she thought of Dewayne as a possibility. He agreed to come and share his knowledge of alarms with our chapter.

If you learn about alarms by his presentation called ‘Educating Our Seniors about Alarms’ – then he will be able to say that he has accomplished his goal! Bring some questions that you might have to our October meeting, and see if he will be able to answer them for you.

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CHAPTER CHATTER AT THE LAST MEETING

Martha said,”I started with my bowling league last week.”

Marco asked,”How many of you have at least 40 credits in Social Security?”

Kathy asked,”Could you give me a list of the responsibilities for the officers and chair?”

Jan said, “I am coming back next month because you all made me feel welcome!”

Bernice said, “Next month I am participating in a Health Fair on the 19th and the 31st.”

Stan said, “If you see some federal workers who are not members, please, give them a ‘chapter card’ to connect with us?”

Will said, “There were NARFE members at the convention that had special vests to represent their chapter.”

Joanne said, “I had to deal with OPM last year when my husband passed.”

See how much you missed! Don’t miss out on our next one!

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Alzheimer’s News

Diabetes and Alzheimer’s check it out. Not good news for those of us who are diabetic and had parents with Alzheimer’s disease. Check out the website below.

[pic]FEDERAL BENEFITS OPEN SEASON

The Federal Benefits Open Season Press Release announcing the 2013 premiums rates was issued Thursday, September 20, 2012. A copy of the Press Release is available at news/opm-announces-2013-federal-employees-health-benefits-program-premium-rates,1758.aspx.

• The 2013 FEHB premium rates are available at insure/health/rates/index.asp

• The 2013 FEDVIP dental premium rates are available at insure/dental/rates/index.asp

• The 2013 FEDVIP vision premium rates are available at insure/vision/rates/index.asp

You can find 2013 Federal Benefits Open Season information beginning October 22, 2012.

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Open Season and FEHBP Premiums

OPM announced the Open Season for health, vision and dental plans this year will run from Monday, November 12, 2012, through Monday, December 10, 2012. NARFE magazine provides an annual analysis of Federal Benefits Open Season in its October, November and December issues. “Open Season Report: 2012 Preview” appears on pp. 40-43 of the October magazine. The OPM website for health insurance premiums is . For rates for national fee-for-service plans, please visit . The full benefit packages for all 230 plans should be available before the end of October.

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"No one can pull the wool over my eyes. Cashmere maybe, but wool, never."

Thurston Howell, III, the rich dude played by Jim Backus marooned on Gilligan's Island

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WANTED VOLUNTEERS

We have need of volunteers who have access to a phone, fax, or computer who could help the chapter without leaving home? These persons could act as a phone contact, newsletter helper, proofreader, envelope-stuffer, membership recruiter, web site reporter and/or meeting phone reminder--any host of duties that don’t require regular transportation or other resources. These persons would be called ‘Virtual Volunteer.’ The amount of time to do the tasks varies from a half hour to several hours a month. We ask for volunteers to work from September to June. If interested, please contact President Bernice Minnis. (See Officers Roster for contact information. [pic]

[pic]This member is the vice president of Bernice's social club in Ontario.

(Answer is on page 5)

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NARFE MT. BALDY CHAPTER #1497

Regular Monthly Meeting

September 12, 2012

There were 11 members in attendance.

First Vice-President Marco Rodriguez introduced the first time attendee Jan Huyck. There were no new members.

TREASURER REPORT: Treasurer Lorraine Brannen reported that we have $3,464.38 on hand for use.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Stan Dack, 2nd VP for Membership reported we have 187 people on our rolls. One member transferred membership to Texas and one has dropped.

Nominations are being accepted for chapter offices. The nominations will occur at the October meeting. Let Stan Dack know if you are interested in running for an office. The election will be at the November meeting and the installation of officers will be at our December Holiday Party.

SUNSHINE & HOSPITALITY REPORT: Martha Trimillos reported that Lawrence Ham is alive and well contrary to reports. Bernice Minnis announced that Joe and Bev Mixon are in an assisted living facility in Chino because of declining health.

LEGISLATIVE REPORT: Marco Rodriguez, 1st VP, gave the Legislative Report.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR/SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Will Patton reported that No misspelled words were reported in the newsletter.

Service Officer Will Patton noted that he has received 50 NARFE Forms-100 which are available to those who needed one. Lorrain Brannen answered the Newsletter quiz correctly. “How many guests were at the Picnic? There were 3.”

ALZHEIMER’S REPORT: Lorraine Brannen reported that we have $87 in the Alzheimer’s Fund. There were two (2) donations of $1 each to the Alzheimer’s Fund Joanne Ghidotti and Carl Nichols. Nationally NARFE has collect over $9,851,349 for Alzheimer's Research. This sum is getting close to our current goal of $10million.

NARFE-PAC REPORT: There was no NARFE PAC report.

GUEST SPEAKER: Ms. Sandy Windbigler of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) spoke on Understanding Your Utility Bill and Scams to Watch Out For. She gave handouts with information about the utilities and programs that are regulated by the PUC.

President Minnis gave Ms. Sandy Windbigler a certificate of appreciation.

Convention booklets were available for review as were the daily bulletins, By-Laws and Changes to the By-Laws. Each of our delegates to the recent convention in Reno, Bernice Minnis, Will Patton, Emil Trimillos and Martha Trimillos, spoke about one thing that impressed them the most at the convention.

NEW BUSINESS: President Bernice Minnis has a surprise for us coming at the next meeting

GOOD OF THE ORDER: Alzheimer’s 50/50 drawing: Pot was $26; and winner Martha Trimillos won $13.00 and contributed it to the Alzheimer fund.

Newsletter Fund Drawing: The fund collected $10 and Jan Huyck won the Rubio’s Gift Card. See it pays to attend meetings.

Attendance Award of $25: Glenn Mixon’s name was drawn for the $25 Attendance Award, but he was not present. The person has to be present to win.

Meeting Adjourned at 3:01 pm.

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(Note: I will quality for Medicare in 2013. So, I am getting more informed about it! It is never too early to get informed! Some data was, purposely, left out because of the time frame of reporting. Bernice)

The Medicare enrollees in the self-and-family coverage do cost the FEHBP slightly less than the other types of enrollees. But these savings are spread across all enrollee premiums, including the much higher-costing non-Medicare eligible annuitant enrollees. The self-only coverage for the Medicare group costs more.

FEHBP fee-for-service plans do waive some deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments in recognition of the small savings that accrue for Medicare annuitant enrollees.

Since FEHBP premiums are based on fee-for-service plans' FEHBP claims experience, administrative expenses and a modest profit of 1 percent or less, there are insufficient savings related to the Medicare factor to justify a change in the law to create an FEHBP Medicare in FEHBP plans.

Moreover, this cost to the FEHBP experience will not shift in favor of the Medicare annuitant enrollees. We know that 50 percent of all FEHBP enrollees are current employees, and 50 percent of all FEHBP enrollees are retiree and survivor annuitants. Data from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging (AOA), indicate that there are more elderly people living longer in the United States than ever before. The following information is derived from the AOA report, "A Profile on Older Americans: 2007."

In 2007, there were 37.9 million people age 65 and older living in the United States. This represents a growth of 11.2 percent in the age 65 and older population since 1997 (34.1 million in 1997). The older population itself is getting older. In 2007, the 65-74-age-group (19.4 million) was 12 times larger than in 1900. The 75-84 age group in 2007 (13 million) was 17 times larger than in 1900. The 85-plus age group (5.5 million) was 45 times larger than in 1900. The 35 million people age 65 and older in 2000 are projected to grow to nearly 40 million by 2010 and to nearly 55 million by 2020.

We have an aging population that is growing larger and an aging population that is living longer. In 2007, 39 percent of older persons assessed their health as excellent or very good, compared to 64.8 percent for persons ages 18-64. Chronic medical conditions increase with age. In 1998, 28.8 percent of the age-65-74-group reported a limitation caused by a chronic condition, and 50.6 percent of those ages 75 and over reported they were limited by chronic conditions. Similarly, the percentage of people affected by disabilities increases sharply with age. Consequently, older people need more medical and hospital services than younger people.

Older people had three times the number of days of short-stay hospitalizations in 2006 than the under age 65 group. The average hospital stay was six days for older people compared to only 4.8 days for people under age 65, even though the average stay for the older group has decreased by 6 days since 1964. Older people went to their doctors in 2005 more frequently (6.8 doctor contacts) than persons ages 44-65 (3.9 doctor contacts).

In conclusion, we have an older population (age 65 and older) that is growing. The people within the group are living longer than ever before. They go to the hospital more frequently, and they stay longer. They go to the doctor more frequently. In addition, OPM also reports that the age 65 and older FEHBP group uses the prescription drug benefit 150 percent more frequently than people under age 65. There is no Medicare prescription drug benefit to offset this cost to the FEHBP. All of this means that the cost to the FEHBP will continue to grow for the age 65 and older population regardless of their Medicare status. People with Medicare will cost less than people age 65 and older without Medicare, but with minimal or no savings to the FEHBP.

(Note: You will be receiving ‘Medicare Prescription Drug Plan’ in November.)

[pic]The answer is Ted Miller.

We miss him!

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WEBSITES FOR SENIORS #16

1. General Senior Related Information

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2. Health Information



3. Housing

4. Travel Information

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Senior Citizen Joke

One evening, two old men from a retirement home were sitting on the front porch of the retirement home. One man said to the other old man, "You know, Albert, if you think about it, we are not that old. I mean, my memory is still very good."

As the man said this, he knocked on the wooden chair beside him. "Actually, I am as sharp as ever."

After a couple minutes of silence, the first man started to talk again, "So, is anyone going to get the door, or do I have to do it?"

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Your Inner Eyes

When your inner eyes open, you can find immense beauty hidden within the inconsequential details of daily life. When your inner ears open, you can hear the subtle, lovely music of the universe everywhere you go.

Timothy Ray Miller

[pic]"Fear can hold you prisoner, Hope can set you free" It’s from the Shawshank Redemption, 1994.

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"You have to change the way you think and then you will change the way you feel!”

Robin Roberts

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Voter Registration Deadline (by mail)

10/22/2012

See CA Gov website for information on registering to vote and a registration form.

Voter registration forms are also available at post offices and many government offices.

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Mt. Baldy Chapter members went to a senior matinee at the Laemmle 5 in Claremont.

Left to right: Marco Rodriguez, Emil Trimillos, Will Patton, Lorraine Brannen, Stan Dack, Kathy Jeffery and Bernice Minnis. We all enjoyed the movie and hope that more of you join us next time.

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Websites for your Congressional Delegation

David Dreier (R-CA 26th District),



Grace Napolitano (D-CA 38th District)



Gary Miller (R-CA 42nd District)



Joe Baca (D-CA 43rd District)



Sen. Boxer



Sen. Feinstein.



[pic]How to Contact Our (NARFE Chapter 1497) Representatives

All letters should be sent to the local address, because there is a long delay in screening mail for hazardous materials in the Washington office.

26 Dreier, David (R) 233 CHOB 202-225-2305

Rules, Chairman 909-575-6226

Congressman David Dreier

510 East Foothill Boulevard, Suite 201

San Dimas, CA 91773

38 Napolitano, Grace (D) 1610 LHOB 202-225-05256

Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure 562-801-2134

Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano

1627 E. Telegraph Road

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

42 Miller, Gary (R) 2349 RHOB 202-225-3201

Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure 714-257-1142

Congressman Gary Miller

1801 East Lambert Road, Suite 150

Brea, CA 92821

43 Baca, Joe (D) 2366 RHOB 202-225-6161

Agriculture and Financial Services

909-885-BACA (2222)

Congressman Joe Baca

201 North “E” Street, suite 102

San Bernardino, CA 92401

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LAME DUCK

There is concern that this “lame duck” Congress will wait until after the election to tackle the budget deficit. There is also a chance for a government shutdown in October. After the election Congress may actually bring back recommendations of the National Commission on Fiscal responsibility and Reform, known as “Simpson-Bowles” to save us from the automatic cuts required by Sequestration on January 2, 2013. A lot will depend on the results of the November elections. “Keep your guard up!” There is ‘strength in numbers.’

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OBSERVATIONS ON GROWING OLDER

Your Kids are becoming you...and you don't like them...but your grandchildren are Perfect!

Going Out is good.. Coming Home is better!

You Forget names ...But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you.

You realize you're never going to be really good at anything. Especially Golf.

The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep". You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.

You tend to use more 4 letter words like ..."what?"..."when?"... ?

Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

Everybody Whispers.

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Presidential Debate Schedule, Mark Your NARFE Calendar

The three presidential and one vice presidential debates are the best defense against often misleading political commercials. While the NARFE 2013 calendar is on its way to members, mark your 2012 calendar for the following dates. All debates will take place from 9-10:30 p.m. EDT. More details are posted at , including, “Organizing a Debate” information.

First presidential debate (Domestic Policy): Jim Lehrer, executive editor, PBS News Hour; Wednesday, October 3, University of Denver, Denver, CO.

Vice presidential debate: Martha Raddatz, senior foreign affairs correspondent, ABC News; Thursday, October 11, Centre College, Danville, KY.

Second presidential debate (Town Meeting): Candy Crowley, chief political correspondent, CNN, and anchor, CNN's State of the Union; Tuesday, October 16, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY.

Third presidential debate (Foreign Policy): Bob Schieffer, chief Washington correspondent, CBS News, and moderator, Face the Nation; Monday, October 22, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL.

From Gems Sept 14, 2012

[pic]Consumer Prices Rise in August

Current law requires the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for federally administered retirement programs – Social Security, military retirement and civil service – to be formulated based on the CPI-W, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. With two of the three months of the third quarter measured, the July (225.568) and August (227.056) average index, 226.312, is 1.38 percent higher than the 2011 third quarter average (223.233). The final data point, September consumer prices – which will set the COLA for 2013 – will become available at 8:30 am EDT Tuesday, October 16. That monthly index will be averaged with July and August indices. The 3rd quarter average will be compared to the 2011 3rd quarter average (223.233). More information is available at cpi.

Would you like to be an Officer in our Chapter 1497?

The October meeting is nomination of Officers for the coming year (Jan 13 to Dec 13).

See the list of officers in the back of the newsletter, select the office you would like to be nominated for, and let Stan Dack know you are interested either by e-mail (standack@) or in person at the meeting Wednesday Oct 10th. The election will be at the November meeting.

Help is Needed

If you belong to a service organization, fraternal organization or retiree group, it is likely that there are other federal retirees besides yourself and there may be current federal employees attending those meetings. You should talk to them about NARFE and our efforts to preserve our earned benefits, invite them to attend our chapter meeting and encourage them to join with us. You could give them your old copies of the NARFE magazine and be sure to put your membership number on the application. If they join, you will get credit for recruiting them. If you need more membership applications, you can down load them from the NARFE website.

Register and Vote

Elections for President and Congress are on November 6th this year. Be sure that you are registered and vote. See the NARFE magazine for the voting record of our representatives. See the website for new Congressional Districts on page 8.

NARFE ELECTED OFFICES

PRESIDENT & NARFE NET COORDINATOR:

BERNICE MINNIS

(909) 860-0635

bernicem550@

1ST. VICE PRESIDENT, NAT & STATE LEGISLATIVE CHAIRS &PUBLIC RELATIONS:

MARCO N. RODRIGUEZ

(909) 590-1849

mnrodriguez770@

2ND VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP/TELEPHONE

STANLEY DACK

(909) 628-8853

standack@

3rd VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, NEWSLETTER, SERVICE OFFICER & PARLIAMENTARIAN

WILL PATTON

(909) 623-5700

will91766@

TREASURER & ALZHEIMER CHAIRWOMAN

LORRAINE BRANNEN

(909) 625-7603

lbrannen@ca.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

ASST, LEGISLATIVE CHAIR, NARFE-PAC &HISTORIAN:

LEROY DICKERSON

(909) 982-5774

lgdled@

SUNSHINE & TELEPHONE

MARTHA TRIMILLOS

(909) 591-3455

trimillos1938emil@

SOCIAL COMMITTEE CHAIR

ERNESTINE ABOGADO

626-257-8011

CHAPLAIN & GREETER

CLARK MINNIS

(909) 860-0635

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, ASST. NEWSLETTER EDITOR, ASST. HISTORIAN

EMIL TRIMILLOS

(909) 591-3455

trimillos1938emil@

DISTRICT III VICE-PRESIDENT

Lee Manak

(909) 864-3378

leemanak@

NARFE CSFC PRESIDENT

Jeanette L. Schmidt (Dottie) Jlschmidt37@

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CALIFORNIA CONGRESIONAL DISTRICTS

TO: NARFE Officers FROM: Legislative Department reply to cfarrell@ or 571/483-1265 DATE: Sept. 25, 2012 RE: Maps of current and coming Congressional Districts

Because many of you have asked, our search for a single website for maps showing congressional districts before and after redistricting has succeeded! Civic Impulse’s website shows voters in the 2012 U.S. elections if their congressional district has changed since the last election AND provides side by side maps of the 2010 (current) and 2012 (new) congressional district. Please bookmark the following address!

is the gateway to finding interactive maps by city, ZIP Code or district.

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Hmmmm! I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

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MT BALDY CHAPTER #1497 MEETINGS WILL BE ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT COCO’S, 60 W. FOOTHILL BLVD, (corner of Euclid and Foothill Blvds.) UPLAND, CA, AT 1:00p.m.

OCTOBER 10, 2012: Dewayne Shackelford of Guardian Alarm Systems on “Educating Our Seniors about Alarms”

NOVEMBER 14, 2012: Brandi Orton of Community Senior Services on “Building Cohesiveness through Connecting Community Members”

DECEMBER 12, 2012: Lenore Manak our District Vice-President on District Update – HOLIDAY PARTY

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These are excerpts from Jean Carper's newest book "100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's".

"The idea that Alzheimer is entirely genetic and unpreventable is perhaps the greatest misconception about the disease" says" Gary Small, MD, director of the UCLA Center on Aging. Researchers now know that Alzheimer's develops over decades and can be influenced by lifestyle factors including cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, depression, education, nutrition, sleep and mental, physical, and social activity. Mountains of research reveal that simple things you do every day might cut your odds of losing your mind to Alzheimer's.

Ten surprising strategies:

1. HAVE COFFEE unless your doctor says you shouldn't. In an amazing flip-flop, coffee is the new brain tonic. A large European study showed that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day in midlife cut Alzheimer's risk 65% in late life. University of South Florida researcher Gary Arendash credits caffeine; he says it reduces dementia-causing amyloid in animal brains. Others credit coffee's antioxidants.

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